Morus rubra – Red Mulberry

General Information: A small to medium sized tree bearing edible and delicious reddish purple fruits in summer. This tree is an excellent wildlife attractant. Ripe fruits attract a diverse assortment of bird species. The fallen berries attract larger mammals such as Raccoons, Opossums, and Foxes. Deer are known to browse on the foliage and young twigs. Beavers will often consume the bark of this tree. As a forage crop, Mulberries are unparalleled for fresh eating or making preserves. These fast-growing trees quickly fill in areas where they are planted, and once mature they are incredibly resilient. Mature trees are able to regenerate damaged limbs and can even resprout if cut back to the ground completely. This species is becoming increasingly rare due to several factors. These plants are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate plants, so their abilities to reproduce are dependent on established communities. They readily hybridize with non-native Mulberry species such as Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) and White Mulberry (Morus alba). They are also susceptible to bacterial pathogens towards the central part of their range. Red Mulberry has been and continues to be an important food source, medicine, and a source of weaving material for Indigenous Peoples in North America.

Edible Qualities: Mulberries are best eaten fresh. They contain an enzyme that begins breaking down the fruit flesh as soon as they are picked, greatly reducing their fresh shelf life. Refrigeration or freezing does little to slow the process. They are easily collected in bulk by laying out a sheet under the tree and shaking the branches. Once collected, they can be processed into jams, preserves, and pies, made into ice cream or sorbet, dehydrated, or freeze dried. Dehydrated and freeze dried Mulberries can be ground into a deliciously sweet powder. Unlike the related White Mulberry, Red Mulberry leaves are not edible. The stems, leaves, and immature fruits contain an irritating sap which can cause stomach upset if consumed.

Cultivation Details: Keep these plants protected from Slugs and Snails in their first few years – these pests can completely defoliate a young tree. This plant is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Multiple plants are required for fruit set, however this plant is also compatible with other Mulberry types. Consider pairing with ‘Trader’ or Dwarf Black Mulberry (Morus nigra). Only one may be necessary in areas where other Mulberries are known to be present. Mulberries can be messy when their fruits ripen, so consider planting them away from high traffic areas. In the warmer parts of their range, including urban heat islands and microclimates in the northern reaches of their range, Mulberry seedlings can become weedy. We recommend becoming acquainted with the plant’s leaf morphology so any unwanted seedlings can be eradicated. Mulberries are suitable as specimen trees, shade trees, wildlife attractants, for rewilding projects, and as components in a food forest. They are an excellent living trellis for training Grape vines. With care, Mulberries can also be grown as container plants, which will limit their vertical growth and make the fruits more accessible.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Prefers well-drained soils. Does not tolerate standing water. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.

Fun Facts: The “berry” that Mulberry trees produce is actually a compound fruit, not a berry. Unlike Blackberries and Raspberries, which also produce compound fruits, the segments of Mulberries are actually the plant’s mature flower petals, full of nutrients, encasing the plant’s seeds.